Special Education

Jason Coguer, Director of Special Education
(606) 256-2125

Students with disabilities in Rockcastle County Schools receive special education services. Identified students have an individual education plan (IEP) developed by a committee to address the particular needs of each student. The goal is to help these students gain the knowledge and skills needed to become proficient on state standards and responsible citizens as adults. Students, whose ages are three through twenty-one, in grades preschool through high school, may receive services if determined eligible.

Disabilities may be in any of thirteen categories:

Autism

Deaf-Blindness

Developmental Delay

Emotional-Behavioral Disability

Hearing Impairment

Mental Disability

Multiple Disabilities

Orthopedic Impairment

Other Health Impairment

Specific Learning Disability

Speech/Language Impairment

Traumatic Brain Injury

Vision Impairment

If a student is having difficulty in one or more areas, appropriate research-based interventions must be tried and progress monitored and documented for a period of time in order to determine success or the need for a referral for a special education evaluation. Permission for this testing must be given by parents or guardians. Students may be tested in cognitive, academic, speech/language, adaptive, and/or other areas, as planned by an Admissions and Release Committee. Meetings will be scheduled and parents will be invited to discuss each aspect of the process. If a child has been determined to have a disability, data must show that the disability is having an adverse impact on learning before he/she can be placed in the special education program.

If you are a parent who has questions about the special education program, please contact your child’s school to discuss the issues. If you have concerns about your child’s academic progress, please contact the classroom teacher to discuss solutions.